Louis Vuitton fragrances are always going to be a hot topic because of what they represent — luxury, exclusivity, and that eye-watering price tag. City Of Stars is LV's attempt at a sparkling, citrusy, feel-good summer scent. But at Louis Vuitton prices, "feel-good" better mean "feel absolutely incredible." Let's see.
What Does City Of Stars Smell Like?
The opening is pure sunshine in a bottle. Bright, sparkling citrus — think freshly squeezed lemonade with a splash of something fizzy. There's a natural, almost candied quality to the citrus that feels expensive from the first spray. You also get a hint of tiare flower that gives it this tropical, vacation-like warmth.
As it develops, the citrus mellows and a creamy, slightly sweet floral heart emerges. There's something sunscreen-like about it, but in the best possible way — like expensive SPF on warm skin at a five-star resort. It has that "golden hour" quality, like the fragrance version of golden California light.
The dry down is soft, musky, and warm with a gentle woodiness. It becomes a clean skin scent with just a whisper of citrus remaining. The whole journey is cohesive and smooth — there are no sharp turns or surprises. It's designed to be easy, beautiful, and radiant.
Performance
Here's where we need an honest conversation. For the price Louis Vuitton charges, the performance is... okay. You're looking at 5-6 hours on skin, with moderate projection for the first 2 hours before it becomes a skin scent. On clothes, it'll hang around longer, maybe 7-8 hours.
For a citrus-forward fragrance, that's not terrible. But for the price? You expect more. Four to five sprays recommended, and you might want to carry a travel spray for reapplication.
When to Wear It
Summer. That's the obvious answer, and it's the right one. Spring works too. This is a warm weather, daytime, feel-good fragrance. Brunch, pool parties, beach days, rooftop bars, casual dates in the sun. It radiates optimism and good vibes.
It's not a nighttime fragrance and it's not a cold weather fragrance. Don't try to make it something it isn't. City Of Stars is summer in a bottle, and it should stay in that lane.
The Downsides
The price. Let's just put it out there. City Of Stars is one of the most expensive fragrances you can buy, and what you're getting is a (very well-made) fresh citrus fragrance that lasts 5-6 hours. At a fraction of the price, you can find citrus fragrances with comparable performance and similar vibes. You are absolutely paying the LV tax here.
The longevity is disappointing relative to cost. When you spend this much on a fragrance, you want it to last all day. Having to reapply a fragrance at this price point feels wrong. It just does.
It's not particularly complex or challenging. City Of Stars is beautiful, but it's straightforward. If you're buying luxury fragrances hoping for artistic complexity and olfactory storytelling, this might feel one-dimensional. It does one thing very well, but that's about it.
Exclusivity is questionable in 2025. LV fragrances used to be genuinely under-the-radar, but they've exploded in popularity. You're still unlikely to smell this on random people at the mall, but it's not the hidden gem it once was.
Buy or Skip?
Buy if: Money isn't the primary concern, you want the most polished version of a summer citrus fragrance, and the LV brand and experience matter to you. The quality of ingredients is undeniable, and the scent itself is gorgeous. Sometimes you just want the best, and City Of Stars is one of the best summer scents money can buy.
Skip if: You're value-conscious, you want a fragrance that lasts all day, or you're looking for something complex and niche. There are excellent summer fragrances at every price point that will give you similar vibes.
Final Rating: 7/10
City Of Stars is a beautifully crafted summer fragrance held back by its own price tag. If it cost half as much, it'd be an easy 8.5. The scent is stunning, the presentation is flawless, and it genuinely makes you feel like a million bucks. But the longevity and the value proposition are hard to ignore. Worth trying if you can, but think carefully before committing at full price.